Weekend News Brief

New York State police are investigating after a man was struck and killed while getting his mail in the Town of Stafford.  The incident occurred just before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday. Police said a GMC Sierra was traveling west on State Route 5 and entered the turn lane at Batavia-Stafford Townline Road and struck 74-year-old James R. Ehmann while he was getting his mail.  According to police, paramedics attempted life-saving measures at the scene and transported Ehmann to United Memorial Medical Center.  He was pronounced dead at the hospital.  Police are investigating the possibility that the driver was impaired or distracted.

A 26-year-old man is recovering after he was shot on Rochester’s north side Friday night.  Around 7 p.m., police responded to Bernard Street, where they found the victim with at least one gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital and is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Rochester police.  No arrests have been made.

The Lockport Police Department has announced it has completed its investigation into the deadly Lockport Cave boat tour incident and has determined no criminal charges will be filed.  One person was killed and 11 others were injured after a boat capsized during a Lockport Cave tour on June 12.  On the day of the incident, Lockport Fire Department Chief Luca Quagliano said the boat became unbalanced and capsized at the end of the cave. Quagliano said the boat can safely hold 40 people and 29 were on board at the time of the incident, 28 visitors and one staff member.  Investigators said 65-year-old Harshad Shah of Niagara Falls died at the scene after life-saving measures were attempted. 11 others were taken to area hospitals for minor injuries.

Deer season is here, and AAA of Western and Central New York is urging drivers to buck up and watch for animals on the roads.  AAA analyzed New York crash data and found that in 2022 New York State reported 36,743 animal-related crashes state-wide. That number was a 7% increase from 2021 and the equivalent of an animal-related crash every 15 minutes.  AAA has tips to avoid accidents, slow down and obey speed limits, scan the road and shoulders, and, if a collision is unavoidable, do not swerve to avoid the deer as doing so could cause more damage.  

Two funeral home companies in Batavia have announced a merger.  H E Turner and Gilmartin are coming together after signing a deal this week.  H E Turner’s Steve Johnson said staffing issues, a change in how funeral homes are doing business, and trends moving together for the businesses made the move make sense.  Customers have been informed, and all of the prior licensed funeral directors will remain in place, including Turner’s other acquisitions of Marley Funeral Home and Eaton-Watson.